Islanders Select Nino Niederreiter With 5th Overall Pick
by Mark D on Jun 25, 2010 8:34 PM EDT
in Islanders in Diapers
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PrintGarth Snow went up to the Podium today and announced with the 5th Overall Selection the Islanders selected Swiss Born Nino Niederreiter. He's the highest selected Swiss player in NHL history, and if he makes the Islanders next year will be playing with the biggest Swiss star in the NHL, Mark Streit. The former highest selected Swiss player was Michel Riesen taken 15th overall in 1997 by the Oilers.
Nino had 60 points (36 G, 24 A) for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL during the regular season. He followed that up with 16 Points (8G, 8A) in 13 playoff games.At the 2010 IIHF World U20 Championships, he led the Swiss team to an upset of the Russians by scoring two goals in a 3–2 victory. He tied the game with his first goal in the final minute of regulation play to send the game to overtime, and then scored the overtime winner. He racked up 10 points (6 G, 4 A) and was selected to the tournament all-star team. After the Jump some scouting quotes.
Niederreiter boasts good size, and all ready knows how to use it to protect the puck etc.. His balance is impeccable leaving him dominant against the wall. Moreover, like many WHL players, Niederreiter plays with some serious grit and never stops competing or bringing the intensity. This is evidenced by his great play in big games. Finally, and this is what really sets Nino apart from many other prospects is how creative he is with the puck for a big guy. He has good hands, and is a proven goal scorer at every level. All his skills, coupled with his character makeup will make Nino an attractive winger for any NHL GM come draft day
From hockeyprospect.com
"Plays in Portland but showed the world how good he could be in the (World Junior Championship) playing for the Swiss National Team. And after that tournament he kept getting better. He's shifty, he's skilled, he has a good stride and he loves battling in the corner."
From Director of NHL Central Scouting, E.J. McGuire
"Nino is a combination of a power forward and scorer. He’s a guy who can play a very physical, very involved game. He has touch around the net, he has great instincts on where to be around the net and when he gets the puck on his stick he usually creates scoring chances or a goal. He’s a player who, personality-wise, is a great teammate, a real key focal point for the group. And he’s becoming a better two-way player."
From his head coach in Portland Winterhawks Mike Johnston
Nino has the heart, the skill, the size to get the big goals for the Isles. He is a money guy.
From Lighthouse's own BCISLEMAN
And finally from his own mouth
"Now I'm part of the Islanders and it is great,"
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Is he going to play for Isles next year
Or is he going back to junior. I’d love to see him with Tavares and Okposo with him on the left. It could be him, Moulson, Martin and Nystrom on the left side.
Chances are given this orgs track record, this guy will be here next season.
Overall we are looking like one of the more dangerous teams down low looking at our top line.
Would have liked to get a D so Okposo is off the point on the PP.
Maybe they feel Hamonic is the guy or they have an eye on a UFA.
by Chickendirt on Jun 25, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
PP point
If weight stays healthy he will most likely stay at point. De Haan I think is our future point man this year or next year.
by rockhouse15 on Jun 25, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Also given the presence of Streit...
a good mentor that can speak his language and is from the same place, I would say there’s a very good chance. The Swiss people are a very close, and proud knit group.
Love the pick
What I’d like to see is him play in juniors again this year. While he’s doing that, he grows a little more into his body. While THAT happens, JT, MM, KO, JB, Schremp, Comeau and Neilson get another under their belts. Then NEXT year, we plug him and Martin into the group of forwards we have now. Sounds like a plan
by Staten Islander on Jun 25, 2010 10:52 PM EDT reply actions
Mid Season Call Up
You will see him at some point, especially if there is an injury. This guy logged over 100 games in the last year. He’s durable and ready (or near ready).
I don't think they can do that with a kid in the juniors at 18
he either makes the roster or goes back to Portland.
Pleasantly surprised
I am really surprised they passed on Fowler and even more surprised he fell so far. I like this pick. they desperately need a big forward who can score and he fits the bill. He’ll probably be a mid-season call up next year. Regarding this team: The future’s so bright..I gotta wear shades.
He's still elligible for Juniors
Very VERY rare that they call a guy up from Juniors mid season.
It’s going to be a training camp or first nine game trial.
by Chickendirt on Jun 25, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Its actually against the rules...
you cant recall a player in juniors once returned until the junior team’s season is over.
They do get the 9-game trial at the beginning of the season.
what about the guy we got with Chicago’s pick? A high school-er?
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
terrific kid
I didn’t have him for the second because I thought he’d be gone. One scout has him as developing better than Bjugstad. Uncle was on the 1980 Miracle team with KM and grandfather was on the 1960 team…how’s that for bloodlines? 6’3", 200+…another big Minnesotan center to go along with Anders.
Brock Nelson.......
He’s about 6′3″ 205 and was ranked 25th overall by NHL Central Scouting. As a center he put up some awesome numbers in HS (averaged 3 pts per game) and is compared to Nick Bjugstad. Although Nick is rated higher,when all is said and done,Nelson is thought by some going to be the better player. Hes going to attend North Dakota U.
by St. Joe Schmo on Jun 25, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
so far, so good
I wanted Gudbranson but I feel good about Nino. I wonder if it was necessary to trade up for Nelson, but if that’s the guy they wanted, I approve. Hopefully Garth does something about the D on July 1.
I hate this pick a lot less than I did when it was first made.
The fact that Fowler kept slipping so far makes me feel like he wasn’t really the slam dunk we all figured he was. As for Conolly, well, he could turn out to be a great player, but I’d still be okay with passing him up due to the injury risk and attitude concerns. I think I’d have preferred Burmistrov over Conolly, but I think once Gudbrandson was off the board, it didn’t really matter. Trading down would’ve been great, especially in the wake of giving up both 2nds to get Nelson, because now we’re out of the Versteeg running, but I have no qualms about what Garth did. Now, does Nino play on the Island next year?
Fiya Minaya.
does Nino play on the Island next year?
Hard to say, but I wouldn’t bet against this kid. He has crushed every challenge he has ever faced.
Does this logic work?
They can now REALLY overpay Volchenkov on July 1 because they need to spend the money SOMEWHERE.
going by the only time I’ve seen Nino (WJC) he tears the meat better than Bailey did in his rookie year. They really don’t have to, but let’s say he makes the team. That means Bergy is gone, or Martin has to wait for an opportunity… and that will come.
NINO-JT-Okposo… three top ten selections (Meaningless, but with Nino and Okie fighting for pucks JT can do a little more floating)
Moulson-Bailey/Schremp-Comeau
Bergy/Martin-Nielsen-Hunter
Martin/Joensuu-Bailey/Weight/Schremp-Gillies/Weight
Streit-Hillen
(Volchenkov/Michalek)-Martinek
MacDonald-(Meyer/*Hamonic)-(Gervais/Kohn/Katic)
*Hamonic would have to have a TREMENDOUS camp… but If they don’t get two of the higher UFA D then Meyer is more than adequate.
Any chance they pull Ness out of Minny to work with Capuano instead of Lucia?
But what does all this mean to Jeff Tambellini?
more to the point
we probably have a better chance of signing Michalek as there will be far more demand for A Train.
Also I think Nino's more of a RW so...
Moulson-Tavares-Nino
Bailey-Schremp-Okposo
Bergenheim-Frans-Hunter
Martin-Weight-Joensuu/Gillies
Look to deal Comeau, Bergy, or even Hunter
D right on, but I think Hamonic is 50/50 he just needs to have a good camp, I think DeHaan is close to with a very good camp..
Not sure...
He’s listed on different scouting reports as both LW or RW. With the Isles the Left shooting RW dynamic hasn’t been a big success because all of their centers are lefties. When they tried it with Weight at RW it wasn’t such a great fit. Except for Marty they have a mostly southpaw D as well. I would think having 5 lefties on the ice at one time might be awkward.
As far as keeping him in juniors for another year, I agree. I wanted them to keep Bailey in juniors as well. But Snow-Go’s history doesn’t prove that out. They definitely have that juxury more now than they did two years ago with Bailey… but we’ll see if they use it.
DeHaan is small, and fragile at this point. He’ll probably benefit from another year, and they will benefit by not having his pro clock start ticking until 2011-12. They must have confidence in him becoming an Islander because they left Fowler on the board at 5… that was rather surprising. Even more surprising was that the Rangers left him dangling at 10.
Most of the reports I read say that deHaan would have to have an AMAZING camp to be with the Islanders this year… and he doesn’t fit the payroll model anyway. They either need two pricey free agents, or they’re going to have to give their RFA’s really nice raises across the board. GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE!
But what does all this mean to Jeff Tambellini?
Salary Cap problem
We can also throw in the solution bucket maybe taking a player from a cap strapped team. Sharp or Versteeg could still be available for trade because they need the money to sign more blue liners.
by rockhouse15 on Jun 26, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Love it
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 27, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Any chance they pull Ness out of Minny to work with Capuano instead of Lucia?
Well it worked before but I’d give him 1 more year
I bet he gets the 9 game trial at the least...
but he’s certainly more ready than Bailey was, and again I think the presence of Streit gives it a big advantage. The only thing working against it is will he be good (ready) enough to get the playing time he needs. We have a lot better depth at forward than we did two years ago when Bailey was almost a necessity.
Let Nino develop in the CHL
Don’t rush this kid. He has indeed trashed every challenge he has faced to date, but throwing him into the NHL when he isn’t ready is not the way to keep that string going. We don’t need him next year. We need him in 2011 and beyond.
IMO, we didn’t do JB any favours by keeping him in the Show; even though he seems to be coming around. The Brain Trust has shown good patience with De Haan and hopefully, Hamonic will be along in 2011 as well.
Nice job on Nelson, Garth. As you were.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jun 26, 2010 8:31 AM EDT reply actions
Forwards are usually closer than Defenseman when drafted...
DeHaan doesn’t have an NHL body yet, Hamonic was a second round pick when drafted so wasn’t close to ready then. Nino is a different story, his body is NHL ready, he’s ahead of Bailey when he was drafted, and most importantly he’s Swiss, and we have the best Swiis player in the league on the roster, who despite playing a different position, could wind up being the perfect mentor for the kid, and be more beneficial than anyone in Juniors.
Nino is a pretty big kid. He’s 6’ 2" and 205 lbs which isn’t to shabby for a kid barely 18 years old. He might top out at 220 which he should reach by 2012. I think right now his body is ready for the NHL but Gordon may want him to keep working on his play in his own end and that might be why he doesn’t make the team this year.
Mr. Roperrieter
Does Streit have a guest house ala Doug Weight… this could become a trend.
But what does all this mean to Jeff Tambellini?
I agree, let Nino have another year in the CHL. He may very well be ready in 2011, but I think he will benefit more by playing more minutes in major juniors. But if he does start playing for the Islanders this season, having Streit to mentor Nino as a professional will be beneficial, and an advantage that the Isles have over any other NHL team.
He is in the WHL
and I would certainly give him a legit shot at the roster. Holding him back if he seems ready might be as bad a decision as putting him on the roster a year too soon.
Nino
Thrilled with this pick. Another gifted foward. Can’t we all dream….. A #1 line of Nino, Tavares and Okposo? Gives me chills.
I think Nino might get the 9 games, but that’s it. We have too much young talent already that needs to show whether it can get the job done or not. Martin/Jonessu need at least a chance to show what they can do on the NHL level. Comeau/Bergenheim need to prove whether they should stay at the NHL level or not. If Comeau can play on the road like he did at home last year, he’ll have a break out year.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
But they also know Nino is a different class of prospect...
I think he gets the 9 games, and if he proves he’s ready he easily makes the team.
Agree with the nine games but when
Will it be in the first 9 as a try out or a Kyle Okposo with the last 9. My only question is if his Portland team makes the playoffs is he unable to be called up for that year?
Nino and the Mets made my 2 week vacation a good one
I was extremely happy with this 1st pick, I wanted him from the moment I saw us at 5.
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